The Weather.
The reason that prairie people talk about the weather all of the time is that the weather has primacy. It controls all, and we have no control over it. The last few years of the dreadful drought has taken its toll on people and their pocketbooks. Like many others, we have had to sell down our herd drastically, as there was simply no water for the cattle to drink, nor grass for them to eat. Fortunately this spring, we have enjoyed several good rains. I think we are dangerously close to 5 full inches of rain. None of the dams have water yet, but the land is beginning to heal. The first thing I notice is that those huge, dry, cracks in the hard prairies have begun to close. The rains also helps to heal the cracks in ranchers' personalities…

Drilling for A New Well
We have decided to try to drill for a new artesian well for the cattle. We anticipate having to drill 3,400 feet. If we find water, it will help keep the ranch together; if not, we tried. Either way, it means years of more debt. As we made this decision, we realized that the same money could be used to build a great house for our retirement, but we both believe that water is more important. The huge trucks and drilling equipment have begun to arrive. If all goes well, we will start the drilling next week.

Pix of Branding
1. The crew riding out. -http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/CrewRidingOut.jpg
2. Bringing in the herd. -http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/Bringinginherd.jpg
3. Dean looking as the cattle come into the corral.
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/DeanCattle1.jpg
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/DeanCattle2.jpg
4. The branding crew, some of them. - http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/BrandingCrew.jpg
5. Dean and Cousin De, of rope-making fame last month. -http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/DeanandCousinDe.jpg
6. Dean and one of the fillies, Josie. -http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/Deanandfilly.jpg

Picture of the Ranch
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/ranch.jpg

Pix of the 4 Lil Ranchers.
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/Austinandcousins.jpg

Austin and his Mommy and Daddy.
1. Austin, reading. -http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/AustinReading.jpg
2. Austin and his parents in the sunflower field. -http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/Sunflowers.jpg
3. Austin riding Pepe. -http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/AustinandPepe.jpg

Joan in North Carolina last month
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/Joan-NC.jpg

Joan and the InFamous Buttercup
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/Joan-Buttercup.jpg

Wynn riding the mechanical bull. Apparently, in addition to ballet, Wynn has a penchant for bull-riding!
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/WynnMechBull.jpg

Lisa and Dawn with all the kids
http://www.JoanWink.com/gifs/LisaDawnKidsBreaks2.jpg